MSU football hero Jalen Watts Jackson to join U.S. Air Force

(WJBK) - He was hailed a hero for the Michigan State Spartans on the gridiron.

Jalen Watts Jackson scored the winning touchdown against Michigan in 2015 in one of the most memorable plays in college football history.

Now he's transitioning to become a hero off the field - in the United States Air Force.

Jackson returned a blocked punt for the winning touchdown on the last play of the game spoiling the Wolverines' dream season.

"Even to this day I can remember it but it's still like a blur," Jackson said of the miraculous play. "It happened so fast."

During that play as he was tackled, Jackson broke his hip, possibly altering the course of his football career.

But now as a MSU graduate, Jackson is following in his father's footsteps joining the military, ready for a career in the Air Force.

"(My dad) was in Desert Storm, he was a sergeant," Jackson said. "He came out in 1994, the year before I was born, so I never got to see him in uniform but I know he spent a good amount of time (in the military)."

As he gets ready for his next chapter, he talked about the country and what it means to him.

"With everything that is going on in the country, everyone has their different views of the people who lead this country," he said. "But I feel that the soldiers, the people who go out and fight for this country show the true character of this country.

"I would like to keep that going, show people I love this country and show it is a good place and has great people in it."